(Brookings, SD) — South Dakota State University is making a splash in the food world with a new organic red dye, aiming to replace synthetic color additives in candy and drinks. Researchers are growing microorganisms in lab bioreactors using sugar beet molasses and corn syrup to create a red dye that also provides vitamins and antioxidants. SDSU hopes this innovation, which could expand to blue, green, and yellow dyes, will attract businesses to the state, boost the local economy, and offer a healthier alternative before synthetic dyes are banned nationwide by 2027.
